Michael FreemanCHIPPENHAM NEWS: A LORRY driver from Chippenham faces jail after falling asleep behind the wheel and causing a crash that killed a motorist.

Michael Freeman, 45, of Southmead, Chippenham careered his Safeway delivery lorry into a people carrier in Dorset in May.

Social worker David Muir, a 51-year-old married father of two from Bournemouth, died at the scene from his injuries.

Freeman admitted a charge of causing death by dangerous driving at Dorchester Crown Court on Friday.

The court heard a police investigation revealed Freeman caused the crash by falling asleep at the wheel of his delivery lorry.

Judge John Beashel warned Freeman he faces a custodial sentence before adjourning the case for reports to be drawn up.

Prosecutor Roger Hall said: "The Crown has commissioned an expert report which confirms the incident was caused after the defendant fell asleep."

The crash happened at around 3.30am on May 20 last year between Came Down and Winterborne Monkton on the A354, south of Dorchester.

The smash forced police to close the main road between Weymouth and Dorchester for several hours, with diversions for rush hour motorists put in place.

Victim David Muir was an out-of-hours social worker for Poole Council.

A woman also travelling in the Toyota people carrier was taken to hospital to be treated for minor injuries but later released.

The court case was adjourned until February 21 for sentencing.

Freeman was given unconditional bail and an interim driving ban.

Judge John Beashel said: "All sentencing options are being left open to the court.

"This is an extremely serious offence and you should be warned a case of this type nearly always involves a custodial sentence."

Michael Freeman declined the opportunity to be interviewed by the Chippenham News this week.

Safeway said it would not comment on Freeman, the crash or the court appearance.